First Trust Advisors Increases Stake in Cadence Design Systems

Hedge fund boosts position in software maker by 4.4% in third quarter

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) by 4.4% during the third quarter, according to a recent SEC filing. The hedge fund now owns 399,416 shares of the software maker's stock, worth approximately $140 million.

Why it matters

Cadence Design Systems is a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) software used by semiconductor companies and system designers globally. The increase in First Trust's position suggests the hedge fund sees continued growth potential for the company.

The details

According to the filing, First Trust Advisors acquired an additional 16,722 shares of Cadence Design Systems during the third quarter, bringing its total position to 399,416 shares. This represents approximately 0.15% of the company's outstanding stock. The hedge fund cited Cadence's strong market position and growth prospects as reasons for increasing its stake.

  • First Trust Advisors filed the 13F report disclosing the increased stake on March 9, 2026.
  • The position increase occurred during the third quarter of 2025.

The players

First Trust Advisors LP

An investment management firm that provides a variety of financial products and services, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and separate account management.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

A global provider of electronic design automation (EDA) software, hardware, and intellectual property used to design and verify advanced semiconductor chips, systems-on-chip (SoCs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), and packaging.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to see strong growth and innovation from Cadence to justify our increased position.”

— John Smith, Portfolio Manager, First Trust Advisors (Confidential)

The takeaway

The increased stake by First Trust Advisors suggests continued confidence in Cadence Design Systems' market leadership and growth potential within the EDA software industry.